Q-step Centre for Computational Social Science (C2S2)

Unlock the potential of big data with our MSc in Social Data Science.

It may sound cliché, but I couldn't have made a better decision.

It's true that data analysis can be a bit challenging, but the amount of support available is fantastic. There are drop-in sessions and extra workshops. All the data analysis modules have been, to my relief, at a steady enough pace for me to understand everything, but also fast enough to feel I'm learning something new.

If you're worried about how much maths you'd need to know, I can reassure you that you needn't worry: it's all basic algebra and following formulae (and you get to take a formulae card in the exam!)

Adina Pintilie, BSc Politics and International Relations

Research centresCentre for Computational Social ScienceStudy

Study with us

The Centre for Computational Social Science builds on the core disciplines of Politics and International Relations, Criminology and Sociology; our programmes aim to increase the number of students undertaking quantitative methods training in social science by embedding research skills into substantive degree programmes and modules.

In addition to developing in-depth substantive knowledge in socio-political issues and phenomena, all C2S2 programmes are built on the notion of producing graduates with transferable skills, who are able to pursue analyst and data researcher jobs in a wide range of different sectors.

We provide the following training pathways:

Undergraduate degrees

(BSc) in Politics & International Relations, in Criminology, in Sociology, in Social Data Science, and in Crime and Data Science. These programmes give you the opportunity to choose from an impressive range of modules across the University, with a work placement at innovative companies and institutions in the UK and overseas.

Postgraduate degrees

  • MSc Social Data Science - Advanced training in data analytics with a focus on addressing real-world challenges through the formation and evaluation of public policy, and the implementation of evidence-based decision making.

  • MSc Security and Data Science - Gain a unique blend of in-depth knowledge and understanding of security issues with practical skills in the interdisciplinary field of data science.

  • Academic staff at C2S2 welcome PhD students interested in the following: social media, elections, social networks,  public opinion, climate change politics, social inequalities, stratification and mobility, international terrorism, evidence-based policing and quantitative criminology, and related fields. More information on staff research interests. 
    See funding opportunities here.

Others

  • Proficiency in Social Data Science (PSDS) courses: Open to all Exeter students interested in quantitative methods but not enrolled in a C2S2 BSc programme (20 places per academic year). This adds “with Proficiency in Social Data Science” to your degree title (for example, “BA in Politics with Proficiency in Social Data Science”).

  • Seminars and Workshops take place on an ad-hoc basis. Check our upcoming events for more details.

As a C2S2 student you will have access to one-to-one expert support through our 'Stats Help Desk'. To find out more, read the Student resources page.

Hear from some of our Widening Participation students in this video.

If you have further questions, be sure to check out the Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) page or contact us.

Our members discuss their research and studying social data science with C2S2 (formerly known as Exeter Q-Step Centre).

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